Jan 6, 2009 5:50 pm US/Eastern
Cross-Dressing Doctor Found Hanged In Prison
NORFOLK (WBZ) ―
Dr. Richard Sharpe, the cross-dressing dermatologist from Gloucester serving a life sentence for murdering his wife, was found hanged in his cell at M.C.I. Norfolk Monday night.
Department of Corrections spokeswoman Diane Wiffin said, "He had tied a bed sheet to the top bunk" and was found by his cellmate. She went on to say, there's "no reason to believe his cellmate was involved or that there was any foul play."
The millionaire doctor was convicted of murdering his estranged wife Karen, in July of 2000, with a rifle at her Wenham home while two of their children, 4 and 7 years old, were in the house.
Sharpe's appellate attorney, Michael Traft, says there needs to be a thorough investigation of what happened before anyone jumps to a rash conclusion about cause of death.
"It is surprising to me because he has not given any indication to me that he was despondent of that he, in any way, was contemplating self-harm or suicide," Traft told WBZ's Ron Sanders, who then asked, "Weren't there two previous suicide attempts?"
"Yes, but those were several years ago," answered Traft.
Robert Weiner, who prosecuted Sharpe, said, "He did things that seemed crazy so it's not surprising that he would take his own life."
Weiner said Sharpe had abused his wife for years, beating her and once stabbing her in the head with a fork.
But his appellate attorney says Sharpe had been upbeat and wrote a letter to the head of the prison school December 29th asking if he could tutor fellow inmates.
State Police from The Norfolk County District Attorney's office are investigating Sharpe's death. The D.A.'s office is leaving the cause and manner of death "undetermined" pending toxicology reports, which may not be complete for weeks.
Weiner said he talked with Sharpe's daughter, Shannon, who does not want people to lose sight of the fact that this was a domestic violence case that culminated in the murder of Karen Sharpe.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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